Two cops shot in shootout, No police station attacked and incident not related to standoff – CP

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LAHAD DATU: Two policemen were injured in a sneak attack at a water village near Semporna, some 160 kilometres from here, yesterday evening as fear gripped people in Semporna and Tawau that a group of gunmen had attacked security forces.

However, police are denying that the case is connected to the standoff incident here.

State Police Commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib in confirming this, disclosed that the injured policemen, comprising an officer and a personnel, were among the 40 men deployed from the Semporna police station in search of a “few personalities” at Kampung Simunul, about three kilometres from Semporna town.

“The team was dispatched for an operation at 4pm to track down a few personalities and was moving from one village to another. As they were about to arrive at the area, few shots were fired around 7pm, injuring the two policemen.

“It is believed that these criminals are in possession of firearms,” Hamza told reporters during a brief press conference last night.

He added that as of press time, no arrest had been made.

With only sketchy report from Semporna district police chief ASP Mohd Firdaus, he however denied rumours that the police station there was under attack.

Hamza said the situation was now under control, but roadblocks had been placed at the only road linking towards the island to prevent any eventualities.

He also advised the public to stop spreading rumours as it would cause unnecessary panic among the people.

It was widely rumoured earlier that a police station in Semporna was attacked by gunmen and several cops were injured in the shootout.

Earlier, several Semporna residents had heard shootings and at least two explosions.

A resident of Kampung Sri Jaya, Simunul, said that he could not enter his village as the situation was dangerous.

According to him, the gunmen fled to the village to hide after confrontation with police and security forces.

Other Semporna residents staying near the town area said they did not hear any shootings apart from fireworks.

However, a resident who declined to be named, said the situation was calm in town area as security forces were around.

The situation is tense in the east coast of Sabah after Malaysian security forces clashed with Sulu gunmen near Lahad Datu on Friday, leaving two police commandos and 12 gunmen dead.